GDT: GDT #32 New York Islanders @ Chicago Blackhawks | December 15th | 3:00 PM | F/5-3 L

[Groin Of Bates]

Eff me...

You knew it. You knew it the second Cholowski rifled that pass down the boards so gosh darn hard it couldn't be anything but an icing.

I just sat there thinking, "Why the f$%& would you chance an icing after your line had just had that busy a shift?"

And then it happens. OF course it happens.

SIDENOTE:
Why was Cholowski kept out there for the final 52 seconds for the 6-on-5?

What's Roy's logic there?

He not only was the cause of that crappy icing and then right in that scrum in front of the net for the GW, but he had also been on the ice a while on that PP as well.

I don't get it.

I can only assume his logic is “tank” and force Lou’s hand

 

[scottywiper]

This really has become a miserable team to follow. They can't hold leads. They never win comfortably and they consistently lose games in the most painful way imaginable.
I mean, what joy are they providing.
Even when they do win, like previous game, it's not a nice experience.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

They needed to score a goal, not play defense. He’s their best offensive LHD atm

And you've easily got 5+ forwards who are better options on a 6-on-5.

Like you wrote, they needed to score a goal, not play defense.

 

[IslandersGER]

there’s a lot of guys whose mediocre play cost the Islanders this game, but Barzal wasn’t one of them

right, he not mediocre, he was bad. did his ice circlings as usual. this savant sydrome doesn't help the team, not now and not in future

 

[Torrey Redux]

Wake up Lou. Do something or get out of the way. This is pathetic.

Lou is driving bus and everyone is ringing the bell but he just keeps on driving.

 

[Green]

People really blaming Barzal? He made the offense somewhat interesting and it's his first game back, it's mindbogglng what goes through some fans heads

 

[Groin Of Bates]

right, he not mediocre, he was bad. did his ice circlings as usual. this savant sydrome doesn't help the team, not now and not in future

It’d help if…his line mates…got into a position to be worthwhile to the offensive system or just did something to generate being open, overall.

I’m the first person to join the “he sucks” crowd but today isn’t it. This team is so offensively inept and has been his entire tenure - just like Tavares.

 

[IslandersGER]

for years we hear about he'd not the right line mates. this will not stop until he ends his carreer.

 

[gordie43]

Eff me...

You knew it. You knew it the second Cholowski rifled that pass down the boards so gosh darn hard it couldn't be anything but an icing.

I just sat there thinking, "Why the f$%& would you chance an icing after your line had just had that busy a shift?"

And then it happens. OF course it happens.

SIDENOTE:
Why was Cholowski kept out there for the final 52 seconds for the 6-on-5?

What's Roy's logic there?

He not only was the cause of that crappy icing and then right in that scrum in front of the net for the GW, but he had also been on the ice a while on that PP as well.

I don't get it.

I think it was his man that got lost on the first goal as well

As for Barzal, he’s been out six weeks there is going to be some rust. He’s gonna need a couple of games, but after that blast away if he’s not performing.

 

[Groin Of Bates]

for years we hear about he'd not the right line mates. this will not stop until he ends his carreer.

Fair argument - however, has this franchise provided that? Even Duclair and Horvat aren’t the answer…though he does mesh decently with Horvat. This now the second 1st line “franchise” C that the same problem plagues.

Most other teams build around the franchises in some capacity. But, hey, if you think Pageau and Lee and Palmieri and Bailey and all the other folks are the answer and you’re happy with that, more power to you.

 

[Shadocontrol]

Lou is driving bus and everyone is ringing the bell but he just keeps on driving.

This was no better than an AHL game, and I've seen plenty of those that were soooo much more entertaining. Taking a break from these guys for awhile since no one (Ledecky or Malkin) has the will to get rid of Lou and make some serious changes.

 

[Surfrat]

People really blaming Barzal? He made the offense somewhat interesting and it's his first game back, it's mindbogglng what goes through some fans heads

Its someone new to beat up on. These guys are lost.

 

[MJF]

Reinforcements are on the way

It’s time for Scott Malkin to clean house, top to bottom.

 

[Big L]

Unpopular opinion but I’m starting to think Roy is not a good coach. Doesn’t seem to be able to coach these guys up.

 

[Torrey Redux]

This was no better than an AHL game, and I've seen plenty of those that were soooo much more entertaining. Taking a break from these guys for awhile since no one (Ledecky or Malkin) has the will to get rid of Lou and make some serious changes.

Entertaining is the last thing the Islanders are. Even when we were pretty good for a while - and I mean pretty good, not great or anything because we weren't - under Trotz we were still god awful to watch. When I used to make that point people didn't care because we were winning but, while I want my team to win, I do watch hockey to be entertained and there has been little of it since Lou got here. We don't even have personalities you can point to and say, "man that guys really fun to watch". Clutter was as close as we have come in forever and while he was a shit-stirrer, he was also a cyborg. And that's what Lou wants, clean shaven, choir boy robots who just say "yes sir" and collect their paychecks..

 

[Groin Of Bates]

Unpopular opinion but I’m starting to think Roy is not a good coach. Doesn’t seem to be able to coach these guys up.

Maybe he just “gets it” and understands it doesn’t really matter? I get it’s not “his job” to do that but what’s the point sort of situation?

 

[Green]

Reinforcements are on the way

Lovely state of the franchise, I am sure things will improve in the coming years since we will be committed to our goal of trying to get an 8th seed and never get any really good picks, will definitely be fun being a fan of this team in about 3-4 years

 

[GOLFWANG]

Unpopular opinion but I’m starting to think Roy is not a good coach. Doesn’t seem to be able to coach these guys up.

These guys are all old old old shitty veterans and that's on them if they can't get up for a game.

I don't think any coach would be able to take this team anywhere unless it was Trotz first season again.

 

[Steve55]

Funny that I missed at least half the game while lifting weights at a local gym, but saw 4 of the goals when I was there. While I thought the Blackhawks challenging the Isles third goal for goaltender interference was stupid, the Isles couldn't make the Hawks pay on the ensuing power play, Connor Bedard put the Hawks up 4-3 after I returned home, and iced the game on an empty netter.

 

[The Real JT]

Funny that I missed at least half the game while lifting weights at a local gym, but saw 4 of the goals when I was there. While I thought the Blackhawks challenging the Isles third goal for goaltender interference was stupid, the Isles couldn't make the Hawks pay on the ensuing power play, Connor Bedard put the Hawks up 4-3 after I returned home, and iced the game on an empty netter.

Engvall lifts weight too. I’m not impressed.

Steve, you’re an Isles fan. If you told me you were drinking all day I’d be more understanding.

 

[MJF]

Unpopular opinion but I’m starting to think Roy is not a good coach. Doesn’t seem to be able to coach these guys up.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Throttle]

Fair argument - however, has this franchise provided that? Even Duclair and Horvat aren’t the answer…though he does mesh decently with Horvat. This now the second 1st line “franchise” C that the same problem plagues.

Most other teams build around the franchises in some capacity. But, hey, if you think Pageau and Lee and Palmieri and Bailey and all the other folks are the answer and you’re happy with that, more power to you.

So, just keep pushing forward with ‘he needs better talent’ is the only way to get value out of his $9m. Or, maybe just move on entirely and change the dynamic and purpose of that $9M?

Barzal created his own figure skating brand of playing hockey that makes it difficult for most players to play with him and also score on all his magical passes. Good riddance at this point. He’s not part of the solution to moving the team forward, retool, or rebuild. Use him to obtain different players to change the CORE underperformers, which he is 100% one of them.

But he provides fans with a zillion excuses, so…

 

[duster19]

Unpopular opinion but I’m starting to think Roy is not a good coach. Doesn’t seem to be able to coach these guys up.

I don’t blame Roy. But he is coaching a team with the worst pk and pp in the league…

Until ownership removes the GM nothing will change. The culture Lou has built is failing. They could replace everyone and nothing will really change. We aren’t going to be any better with Barzal and Pelech and duclair. They will continue to find ways to lose because it’s who they are as a team. They need a new voice to lead them. I

 

[Torrey Redux]

I don’t blame Roy. But he is coaching a team with the worst pk and pp in the league…

Until ownership removes the GM nothing will change. The culture Lou has built is failing. They could replace everyone and nothing will really change. We aren’t going to be any better with Barzal and Pelech and duclair. They will continue to find ways to lose because it’s who they are as a team. They need a new voice to lead them. I

While that is true, Lou has to go, even when he does go, nothing will change then either. Not for quite a while anyway. And it won't be the new GM's fault either. Lou has booby-trapped this team's future in ways that MacGyver would be proud of.

 

[NYI365]

It's beyond clear the entire organization needs a change. The big club can't get it done, Bridgeport is completely inept they are 5-17-2, winless in 9 straight at home for those not paying attention there.

I thank Lou for what he did to bring this team back to relevance but they're becoming irrelevant again. Make the change.